Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

I. Legal framework

Law n° 14/022 of 7 July 2014 establishing the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) regime in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This law aims to "promote investment by creating special economic zones as per Articles 34, paragraph 3 of the Constitution."

Objectives of the law

Improve the legal and institutional framework so as to attract and safeguard the national and foreign private investment, thus promoting the country’s development ;

Simplify the administrative procedures to further improve the business climate and attract investment ;

Strengthen the dispute resolution mechanisms related to investment ;

Provide an incentive business environment, transparent and consistent in order to encourage the national and foreign private investment which will generate the growth and employment and increase competition in the Democratic Republic of Congo ;

Setting the rules of organization and functioning of special economic zones, their missions and their boundaries ;

Determine the supervisory powers of the Agency for Special Economic Zones, including its exclusive and private skills ;

Clarify the rules to be applied to companies that can operate in special economic zones, except with respect to tax and customs arrangements to be set out in the Finance Act.

II. Sites for establishing Special Economic Zones

N°

Zones

Activities

1

West Section : Kinshasa-Inga-Matadi-Banana

Hydroelectricity, exploitation of oïl and bauxite, manufacturing industries around maritime ports of Matadi, Boma and Banana.

2

Center Section : Ilebo-Tshikapa-Kananga-Mbuji Mayi

Transport logistics and food industries

3

Sud Axe : Kolwezi-Likasi-Lubumbashi-Sakania

Heavy and manufacturing industries centered on copper, cobalt and others.

4

Est Axe : Uvira-Bukavu-Goma-Beni-Bunia

Manufacturing and food industries.

5

Nord-Ouest Axe : Kisangani-Bumba-Mbandaka

Timber industry and agribusiness

Source : Programme du Gouvernement 2012-2016, Kinshasa, mai 2012.

III. Features of Maluku SEZ

Maluku SEZ was created by the Government decree of 16 July 2012. It has the following characteristics :

Area : 885 ha including 244 ha for the pilot area ;

Industrial sectors concerned :

Agribusiness ;

Building materials ;

Packaging ;

Metallurgical transformation

Located in the nearby of Kinshasa, a market of over 10 million inhabitants ;

Good national and international transport connections ;

Located closer to the Congo River, which provides access to the large internal market ;